Slazenger collected a welcome three points in this hard fought North Hockey League East Division 2 Fixture. Slazenger started brightly, attacking their hosts from Lincoln down both wings and both Paul Wiper and Alec Gilston saw good shots saved.
However, despite their pressure, Slazenger were unable to score and became increasingly vulnerable to Lincoln’s swift counter-attacks. From one such break, Lincoln were awarded a penalty corner which they duly converted.
Slazenger trailed 1-0 at half time , but had a more determined look about them in the second half. They felt they would have been awarded a penalty stroke when Mike Thornicroft was up-ended by the Lincoln Keeper. Instead, the umpire awarded a penalty corner and Mark Swinden made amends by powerfully flicking the ball home.
Slazenger continued to press forward and were rewarded shortly after when Alec Gilston finished off a well worked move involving Wiper and Thornicroft with an unstoppable rising shot from the edge of the area.
Slazenger were forced to defend for the remaining part of the match but a strong rear-guard action led by Will Buckley, Chris Hayton and keeper James Cowden restricted Lincoln’s opportunities. As a result of the victory, Slazenger rose two places in the table and look forward to the visit of Gateshead on Saturday at 1:30pm.
Match played at Lincoln Hockey club on 8th November 2003
